Grand Rapids Business Journal Courtesy Friends of GR Parks
Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and the Mayor’s Greening Initiative will receive a grant to increase their tree planting during the next year.
The Lincoln, Nebraska-based Arbor Day Foundation said last week that Bank of America provided a $250,000 grant to support efforts to increase the number of trees planted in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods in four U.S. cities, including Grand Rapids.
The other three cities receiving grants are Mesa, Arizona; Philadelphia; and Columbia, South Carolina.
This is the third grant Bank of America provided to the Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Resiliency Grant program, totaling $750,000 since 2019. The program helps to drive more green infrastructure projects, expands tree equity, builds on sustainability efforts and increases resiliency in urban communities most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Columbia, S.C. Communities with barriers to basic resources – including trees and green space – are often those most deeply impacted by climate change and natural disasters, said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. In partnership with Bank of America, we are thrilled to support local programs that will focus on building up communities climate resilience through strategic tree planting and community engagement and education.
Tree canopies have been linked to many benefits like cooler cities, improved air and water quality, effective stormwater control, and better health outcomes. In addition, research has noted that urban trees also increase property values and reduce energy costs for homes. These benefits of urban tree canopy are vital for cities increasingly facing the impacts of climate change, including heatwaves, coastal flooding, extreme storms, and poor air quality.
Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and the city of Grand Rapids are inviting volunteers to join the sixth annual Mayor’s Greening Initiative this spring and fall.
Grand Rapids earns Tree City and Growth Awards
In partnership with Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and the Mayor’s Greening Initiative, the City planted or distributed more than 1,400 trees in 2020.
Credit: WZZM
Mayor Rosalynn Bliss annual Greening Initiative began Friday afternoon in Grand Rapids Garfield Park. This is the 5th straight year for the event. Author: 13 ON YOUR SIDE Staff Published: 9:40 AM EDT April 22, 2021 Updated: 9:40 AM EDT April 22, 2021
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. The City of Grand Rapids recently earned its 23rd Tree City USA Award for its commitment to effective urban forest management. It also earned a Tree City USA Growth Award for displaying higher levels of tree care and community engagement during the calendar year.
City of Grand Rapids earns Tree City USA, Growth Awards
City of Grand Rapids
and last updated 2021-04-22 09:35:22-04
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. â The City of Grand Rapids recently earned its 23
rd Tree City USA Award for its commitment to effective urban forest management, according to a news release Thursday.
It also earned a Tree City USA Growth Award for displaying higher levels of tree care and community engagement during the calendar year.
The recognition has four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.